Madison Area Piano Teachers Assoc, Inc.

Executive Board

General Board

Continuing Education

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*deceased

MAPTA Business Policy

This policy statement is intended as a guide and a support for each teacher's own business policy statement.

1. MAPTA members maintain their studios in an ethical manner and on a strictly business basis. Each teacher has a written policy that is clearly stated and communicated to students and parents and is adhered to consistently.
2. The number, type, and length of lessons given within the fee period is stated.
3. Make up lessons are given at the discretion of the teacher.
4. Tuition is stated as a fixed sum, payable in advance by the semester or month.
5. Additional fees for books and special events are explained.
6. Billing procedures are clearly explained.
7. Students who enroll are expected to complete a period designated by the teacher. A 30-day notice to the teacher is expected before discontinuing lessons. MAPTA recommends that the student's family be responsible for tuition through this 30-day period.
8. Performance opportunities are provided. Ample notification of dates, times, and expectations regarding participation is given.

MAPTA Code of Ethics

WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE MADISON AREA PIANO TEACHERS ASSOCIATED, INC. come together to realize the highest standards of education possible in the piano teaching profession. Composed of independent piano teachers, this professional association serves both its members and the public. We acknowledge three areas of responsibility: fair treatment of students, mutual respect and support among professional peers, promotion of our individual integrity and professional growth. With these in mind, the members of the Madison Area Piano Teachers Associated, Inc., endorse as a statement of our professional ethics the following:

1. Students are a precious resource, whose development is in our care. We demonstrate our responsibility to them by:
   1. Giving a complete, honest and fair lesson to each student;
      
   2. Providing each student with a clear understanding of what is to be expected of us and what we expect of him or her; and
   3. Treating each student with the respect that he or she deserves as an individual, maintaining confidentiality in such matters that may be personal, and avoiding unkind comparisons between students.
2. Members demonstrate responsibility by:
   
   1. Striving for non-competitive, ethical behavior that reflects positively upon the profession;
   2. Avoiding discussion which might injure the professional reputation of another member;
   3. Maintaining strictly ethical business standards and adhering to clearly stated policies which are published for the benefit of all;
   4. Refusing to engage in direct or indirect solicitation of other teachers’ students;
   5. Accepting the pupil of another teacher after assurance is given that the agreement with the former teacher has been terminated to the satisfaction of both teachers;
   6. Instructing a transfer student at least six months before taking credit for a public performance by the student.
3. Members demonstrate responsibility for their own professional development by:
   1. Belonging to organizations that work to promote and upgrade the music profession;
   2. Attending workshops, classes and concerts, taking piano lessons, performing, and reading texts on music teaching and teaching-related psychology and practice; and
   3. Supporting and participating in special projects of MAPTA that are designed to increase the knowledge and expertise of members and their students.

Professional Goals

The Professional Goals Committee serves as the "Think Tank" of MAPTA, initiating and developing projects that reflect the changing goals and needs of the organization.   Professional Goals also reviews and proposes revisions of our Constitution; Bylaws and Operating Policies;  Business Policy;  and Code of Ethics. All members are welcome to attend. If you have thoughts or ideas as to how MAPTA can better serve your needs, this is the committee to contact.

Chair: Connie V. Jones, (608) 442-8302
professionalgoals@madisonpianoteachers.org